North Carolinians for Home Education - Faithhttp://nche.com/tag/faith
enHomeschooling for Lifehttp://nche.com/article/homeschooling-life
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-944" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/944/katherine-barnett" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
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<a href="/person/944/katherine-barnett">Katherine Barnett</a>
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<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/c%20Barnett%2C%20Katherine.jpg?itok=fyT2rrYH" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/c%20Barnett%2C%20Katherine.jpg?itok=H2_3-o21" width="80" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong><em>Katherine Barnett </em></strong><em>has been married to her husband Sam and his military career for over twenty-four years. They have nine children, currently homeschooling seven, and have been homeschooling for fifteen years. Their oldest son, twenty-two, is preparing for seminary, and their youngest son, four, is working hard at learning his alphabet. She is co-author of the book </em>The Warrior's Bride: Biblical Strategies to Help the Military Spouse Thrive.</p>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-01-21T00:00:00-05:00">Jan 21, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Homeschooling for Life</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>“This feels <em>just</em> like what I’ve done all my life!” wailed my eighteen-year-old son. He was working on an assignment for an online college history course that he was taking the fall after high school graduation.</p>
<p>I could only sigh and pray for God to give me some words to encourage this disgruntled young man sitting before me.</p>
<p>“Well, yes, I can see it may look similar to homeschooling—but it isn’t. It is college, and you are accomplishing work that will earn you a degree. And it is only for this year. Next year you get to <strong><em>go</em></strong> to school, but you know you can’t afford it yet, and God will bless your efforts here. This is just a season, a stepping stone, to what is next in your life. It will be worth the wait and the work here. You’ll see.”</p>
<p>“I just feel like I’m <em>always</em> waiting, working and wasting my time and life somehow—I just want <em>out</em>! I just want to feel like I’m living <em>life</em>! It feels like no matter what I’ve done, I’m not going anywhere…,” and his voice trailed off in his frustration.</p>
<p>Seasons. Stepping stones. Waiting. Working.</p>
<p>I knew how my son felt. I could remember so many years of homeschooling him, and my other children, and thinking I was getting nowhere. The time seemed to stretch endlessly in front of me with no real promise of success for my efforts.</p>
<p>The laundry was never done. The daily grind of math and reading bled from one day to the next with no real apparent change in ability. We confronted the same multiplication tables, the same vowels and consonants, the same parts of speech. Nothing seemed to ever change.</p>
<p>These are the ways of life. This is the homeschool life. There have been many despairing moments in this life when I have cried out to God just as my son cried out to me—wondering if I would <em>ever</em> see the fruits of my labor. Could all this mundane monotony bring about the amazing, eternal, supernatural outcomes I had so hoped and believed it would? Sometimes I just wanted out. Sometimes in the midst of the next diaper change and the next sink of dishes, I just wanted to feel like I was living life. There were many days I felt like I was going nowhere and getting nothing of lasting value done.</p>
<p>But then God would answer me in my cries of despair. He whispered a deeper truth to me than my circumstances were shouting.</p>
<p>It matters. Those precious little people that He entrusted to me are worth it. The value is there—in them and in me. <em>In Him!</em> I would rise with the early rising of that eastern sun, and I would read from the ancient history book that was unchanging but somehow breathed life change into my heart. It was alive and reading it made me alive also. The truth of the Word permeated into the depths of my heart and mind and spoke fresh hope. The light would pierce the darkness of my despair as the sun broke fresh mercy onto this anointed day of grace. I would find my joy in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. I found my strength there. I found the love and purpose God had for me, and I believed He was going to finish His work in me—and my children.</p>
<p>Another day would come and go in grace, in love for the ones God placed in my life, in hope for the future generations that would come after them, in joy knowing that eternity was set into my heart and theirs. I set my face towards the prize in Christ Jesus calling me homeward, and I learned God was good. Grace was enough. Life was abundant.</p>
<p>I had no way of expressing that lifetime of truth into my son’s moment of despair, but I didn’t need to. Where I had spent a life teaching him, God had been teaching me. I knew God wasn’t done with him yet. Just as God had gently led me and proven faithful to me, He would do so for my son. And this schooling that we had both undergone was going to continue—no matter the season. His Word and promises were true, and the waiting and the working were worth it. This lifetime of learning to live was worth it. The love and grace poured out from heaven into our hearts was worth it.</p>
<p>Seeing my son there, finished with homeschooling, full of energy and hope for a future he couldn’t yet grasp, I was able to see the fulfillment of all my toil and time invested. And just as God could see beyond my limited scope of vision in that earlier season of my own life, I could see beyond this stepping stone for my son. Life was here and now, and yet, the unseen that stretched out before him was full of abundance and promise.</p>
<p>I took his Bible from under the history book on the desk and gently laid it across the computer keyboard in front of him.</p>
<p>“This is the history book you need to study from, I think,” I smiled encouragingly and left him to his studies, knowing his Teacher would not fail to instruct him well. </p>
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</div></div></div>Mon, 29 Dec 2014 16:45:29 +0000debbie_mason1261 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/homeschooling-life#commentsHow Does God Want Us to Handle Conflict?http://nche.com/article/how-does-god-want-us-handle-conflict
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-283" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/283/dr-matthew-mcdill" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
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<a href="/person/283/dr-matthew-mcdill">Dr. Matthew McDill</a>
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<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/c%20McDill%2C%20Matthew%20new.jpg?itok=q-G4Wzx8" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/c%20McDill%2C%20Matthew%20new.jpg?itok=vXEeLcmM" width="80" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Dr. Matthew McDill</strong> and his wife, Dana, homeschool their nine children in Creston, NC. Matthew is the new NCHE region 3 liaison. He has a Bible teaching ministry, Truth to Freedom, and is a pastor of Highland Christian Fellowship in Boone, NC. You can read his blog and listen to his podcast at truthtofreedom.org. Matthew regularly teaches marriage and family retreats at Cherokee Cove Family Retreat Center in Mountain City, TN (<a href="http://www.cherokeecove.org">www.cherokeecove.org</a>). He is also president of High Country Christian Home Schoolers and taught communication at Appalachian State University. Matthew holds a B.S. in communication and two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in biblical studies.</p>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-12-17T00:00:00-05:00">Dec 17, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>How Does God Want Us to Handle Conflict?</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Have you had a fight with someone you love this week? Unfortunately, most of us have. It is amazing how we can experience so much joy and so much frustration from one relationship! We can enjoy the fellowship and love and cooperation. But relationships are also difficult. We often do not agree. We hurt or are hurt by others. We act wrongly and this affects those around us.</p>
<p>What should we do when we are hurt or believe those around us are doing the wrong thing? God tells us how to handle it in the Bible. When we follow his ways, we will be able to faithfully love <em>and</em> uphold truth and righteousness.</p>
<p>Here are nine steps you can take (and retake) when you face these difficulties in your relationships.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Give space.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>When Dana and I were first married, I asked my older brother Michael to give me marriage advice. He said, &ldquo;One of the most important lessons I have learned in marriage is that I am not my wife&rsquo;s Holy Spirit (and she isn&rsquo;t mine).&rdquo;</p>
<p>We like to try to fix those around us. But that is not really our job. In fact, by trying to fix others, we can become an obstacle to their learning process. When I think someone is wrong, I am not going to try to take God&rsquo;s place in his or her life.</p>
<p>There is another reason we should not dive right into a <em>discussion</em> when we disagree. Some of us tend to speak before we think. Anger and frustration make this even worse. James advises, &ldquo;Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.&rdquo; (James 1:19)</p>
<p>So, the first thing I am going to do when I think someone else is wrong about something is nothing. With humility and patience, I am going to give the other person space to make mistakes and learn from them.</p>
<p>&ldquo;But I can&rsquo;t do nothing! This is too important!&rdquo; Don&rsquo;t forget, this is only the first step.</p>
<p>The second step provides another great reason we should not dive right into correcting others.</p>
<ol>
<li value="2"><strong>Check yourself.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Jesus warned, &ldquo;Why do you see the speck that is in your brother&#39;s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, &lsquo;Let me take the speck out of your eye,&rsquo; when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother&#39;s eye.&rdquo; (Matthew 7:3-5)</p>
<p>Go ahead and say this out loud to yourself: &ldquo;I might be wrong.&rdquo; Some of us really need to add this possibility to our thinking process. When I am in conflict and I choose to give space and check myself, I find that often the main problem is actually me! I get alone with God and ask him to convict me and help me understand the situation. He will.</p>
<p>It may be that there is still a legitimate issue in the other&rsquo;s life. But this is a great opportunity to make sure that I have discerned, confessed and requested forgiveness for any wrongdoing on my part. Getting things right from my end often clears up the waters for others to see their own issues. It also strengthens the relationship and clears the way to address those issues when the time is right.</p>
<p>Bottom line: do not go to your brother about his sin when there is unconfessed sin on your part in the relationship.</p>
<ol>
<li value="3"><strong>Let go of anger.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>When we are hurt by others, or think that what they are doing is wrong, we often become angry. Trying to have a discussion when we are angry will rarely produce good results. Paul warns us not to allow anger to settle in our hearts. (Ephesians 4:26-27)</p>
<p>Forgiveness takes place at two levels. One is the relational level, when we extend forgiveness to a repentant person and the relationship is restored. Another is the heart level. Even if someone does not repent, we must not be resentful or hold on to anger. We can forgive them in our hearts even if the relationship has not yet been restored. This heart level forgiveness is how we let go of anger. We <em>can</em> and <em>must </em>forgive because we have been forgiven. (Matthew 18:21-35)</p>
<p>Bottom line: do not to your brother about his sin when there is anger and unforgiveness in your heart toward them. This sin on your part is a direct obstacle to your relationship with God. (Matthew 6:14-15)</p>
<ol>
<li value="4"><strong>Love.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>When something goes wrong, our natural response is to withdraw. This is usually an attempt to protect ourselves or to influence the other person by expressing our disapproval of them. This is not love. Love is doing what is best for someone else, even when it costs us. Love does not choose its course of action based on personal hurt and loss. (Christ is our example.)</p>
<p>Jesus said, &ldquo;Love your enemies.&rdquo; Even when we are hurt and our relationships are broken, we can love. The entire purpose of our lives is love and all the commandments of God are fulfilled in this one act of obedience. (Mark 12:30; Galatians 5:14)</p>
<p>When we choose love, we will not fight. &quot;Love is patient and kind&quot;(1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Focusing on our own desires is what causes fights (James 4:1-2). When we love, we choose to focus on others, instead of focusing on our own desires. &quot;Love does not insist on its own way&quot; (1 Corinthians 13:5).</p>
<p>Here is the challenge: go do something to express your love for the person you are in conflict with. Do it before things are resolved. Do it today. This will solidify your forgiveness toward them and will strengthen your relational foundation so you can deal with difficult subjects at the right time.</p>
<ol>
<li value="5"><strong>Pray.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Do we really think we will be able change others? What do they need? Who can change them?</p>
<p>Jesus can. So talk to him about the situation. Pray for the work of the Spirit to convict them if you believe they are wrong about something. Pray about how and when to bring up the matter with them. Allow God to lead you in handling the situation. He might tell you to let him handle this one and be patient. (Matthew 5:44; James 1:5-8)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li value="6"><strong>Talk.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>At this point in the nine steps, I finally get to do what I&rsquo;ve been chomping at the bit to do since the problem first began: <em>talk</em>. I hope taking the other steps first has prevented me from making some major mistakes. If I have made it this far in the process and still believe that there is a legitimate issue that needs to be resolved, then it is time to talk. But how I approach this is critical.</p>
<p>First, <em>ask questions</em>. I should not come into the conversation with guns a&rsquo; blazing, firing off my accusations. Here is a wise saying,</p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;">&ldquo;If one gives an answer before he hears,</p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;">it is his folly and shame.&rdquo; (Proverbs 18:13)</p>
<p>Bring up the topic by asking for more information about what happened, how the other person feels about it or what motivated the situation. <em>Listen </em>to what they say.</p>
<p>Second, <em>be gentle and kind</em>. Even if we are asking questions, we are probably poking into a sensitive area. Another wise word,</p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;">&ldquo;A soft answer turns away wrath,</p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;">but a harsh word stirs up anger.&rdquo; (Proverbs 15:1)</p>
<p>This open and gentle approach often gives the other person space to fess up to their own mistakes without having to confront them.</p>
<ol>
<li value="7"><strong>Discern.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Now that you have more information, the next task in the conversation is to discern what kind of issue you are facing. I will suggest two basic categories:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;">
<li>those of a secondary nature, involving personal conviction or preference</li>
<li>those involving violation of central biblical principles</li>
</ol>
<p>Paul warns the Romans &ldquo;not to quarrel over opinions.&rdquo; (14:1). On these secondary issues, &ldquo;each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.&rdquo; (14:5) &ldquo;Each of us will give an account of himself to God.&rdquo; (14:12)</p>
<p>Not that I can&rsquo;t discuss questions of opinion or the best way to get something done. But I will do so with humility and patience. And ultimately, I will be willing to let it go and let the other person live according to his or her own conviction.</p>
<p>By going through these steps, you may discover that many of your problems are not legitimate issues. However, if we make it to this point, then it is necessary to take step 8.</p>
<ol>
<li value="8"><strong>Speak the truth.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Jesus has given us the responsibility of going to our brother in the Lord and confronting him for his sin. (Matthew 18:15) This is for his good, so he can repent and avoid the harm that comes from sin. (James 1:15) How we handle this is important. Paul explains that we are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and &ldquo;restore him in a spirit of gentleness.&rdquo; (Galatians 6:1)</p>
<p>There is much more to discuss here. What if they won&rsquo;t listen? What about the other steps in Matthew 18? How long should this process take? For now the point is to accept the responsibility and have the courage to take this important step to lovingly and gently speak the truth.</p>
<ol>
<li value="9"><strong>Give space.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Now we are back to the first step. Once you have spoken truth to them, give them time to process it. Unless you sense they are ready to immediately repent, you might want to end the conversation with this question, &ldquo;Will you please pray about and consider what I have said?&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong style="line-height: 1.6em;">How long does it take to go through all these steps?</strong></p>
<p>Of course, there is no set amount of time these steps will require. You must walk through this depending on the Lord for wisdom and leadership. You should be willing for it to take much longer than you want it to. At the same time, do not assume because there are so many steps that it must take a long time. Many of these steps are basic to Christian maturity. It is possible that you have incorporated these behaviors into your everyday living and that you are able to process a conflict almost immediately.&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/family-life" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Family Life</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/biblical-principles" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Biblical Principles</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
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<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GR_FALL_2014_cover.png" width="175" height="249" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-pdf field-type-file field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue PDF:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GREENHOUSE_Fall_2014.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=4114232">GREENHOUSE_Fall_2014.pdf</a></span></div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Fall 2014</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">33</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">1</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-10-01T00:00:00-04:00">Wednesday, October 1, 2014</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-01-30T00:00:00-05:00">Friday, January 30, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
<div>
<div style="font-size:5em;margin:20px 5px;font-weight:900">$15</div>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/biblical-principles" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Biblical Principles</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/law-policy" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Law &amp; Policy</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/fathers" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Fathers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/testing" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Testing</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Homeschool History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/goals" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Goals</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/archives" class="tagclouds level2" title="Signifies that the content is historical. &amp;nbsp;It was either published before the internet or has never before been placed on the internet.&amp;nbsp;
">From the Archives</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/press" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Press</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/mothers" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Mothers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/president" class="tagclouds level5" title="A Message from the NCHE President
">From the President</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/preparing-college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Preparing for College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/marriage" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Marriage</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spelling" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Spelling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/ministry" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Ministry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/back-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Back to School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/math" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Math</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reading" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Reading</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/community-support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Community. Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/socialization" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Socialization</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/poetry" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Poetry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">History</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/editorial" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Editorial</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/holidays" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Holidays</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/perspective" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Perspective</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/nc-treasures" class="tagclouds level2" title="A person, place or thing unique to North Carolina
">NC Treasures</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/helpful-websites" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Helpful Websites</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-research" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Homeschool Research</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/beginner" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Beginner</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/struggling-learners" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Struggling Learners</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/conferences" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Conferences</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/science" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Science</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/unschooling" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Unschooling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/encouragement" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Encouragement</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/practical-helps" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Practical Helps</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/events" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Events</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/methods" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Methods</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/field-trips" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Field Trips</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/thanksgiving" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Thanksgiving</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/activities" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Activities</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/high-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">High School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/empty-nest" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Empty Nest</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/vacations" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Vacations</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/graduation" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Graduation</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spotlight" class="tagclouds level2" title="">In the Spotlight</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reasons-homeschool" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Reasons to Homeschool</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/single-parents" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Single Parents</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/inside-nche" class="tagclouds level3" title="Organizational Information
">Inside NCHE</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/family-life" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Family Life</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/sports" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Sports</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/character" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Character</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/politics" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Politics</a></span>
</div></div></div>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 13:22:17 +0000debbie_mason1232 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/how-does-god-want-us-handle-conflict#commentsUpon a Life I Have Not Livedhttp://nche.com/article/upon-life-i-have-not-lived
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-995" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/995/amy-sloan" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
<h2 property="dc:title" datatype="" class="title">
<a href="/person/995/amy-sloan">Amy Sloan</a>
</h2>
<div class="content clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/Amy%20Sloan%204%20cropped.jpg?itok=IPiJdAMg" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Amy%20Sloan%204%20cropped.jpg?itok=imIKyCGC" width="80" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>Amy Sloan and her husband, John, are second-generation homeschoolers by grace alone to four children ages two, three, six, and eight. They adventure in Holly Springs, NC.</em></p>
</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-05-07T00:00:00-04:00">May 7, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Upon a Life I Have Not Lived</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Upon a life I have not lived,<br />
Upon a death I did not die,<br />
Another’s life, Another’s death,<br />
I stake my whole eternity.</p>
<p>This hymn by prolific nineteenth century Scottish hymn writer and pastor Horatius Bonar has become my homeschool theme song, both my encouragement and my exhortation. In my conversations with other homeschool moms, so many of us express similar feelings of insufficiency and doubt, question that we are somehow failing our children and harbor a secret fear deep down that somehow God is disappointed in us. In the face of such a calling as ours, how can we stand, not only in eternity but in the daily grind of homeschool life, if not upon a life we have not lived and upon a death we did not die?</p>
<p>I Corinthians 2:1-5 sounds to me so much like many of my homeschooling days! Honestly? With four small children, I, like Paul says in verse 3, approach each new day “in weakness and in fear and much trembling” while facing these young souls for whom I will one day be held accountable. As they all need me at once and the laundry piles up and assignments are undone and my finiteness is ever more evident, I am often tempted to despair. Then I sing Bonar’s hymn and remember that my standing before God rests in Christ alone. This is big theology that we sometimes take for granted, tempted to relegate it to a <em>doctrine</em> pigeon hole, as if it isn’t practical for our everyday homeschool lives. The doctrine of justification, we might think, does nothing to get the spelling words tested, the dirty diapers changed, or the math lesson corrected. Yet knowing who we are in Christ is supremely practical. Paul continues, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. . . . my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” If we could do this whole homeschool thing with ease, we’d be like the Pharisees who, not knowing they were sick and blind, didn’t know they needed a Physician. How good God is to bring us to a sense of the complete insufficiency of our own works, that He might demonstrate the Spirit’s power and the sufficient work of Christ in our lives and as a testimony to our children! “Mommy needs Jesus just like you do,” we are telling them each day whether we struggle or we succeed. “We can’t do this in our own strength.” Our homeschooling just as much as our eternal destiny rests upon a life we have not lived.</p>
<p>Oh, fellow laborers in this monumental (and, dare I say it, sometimes crazy) work, how I wish I could wildly grin at you in person and remind you as I often need to remind myself: Your Heavenly Father is pleased with you, He delights in you, rejoicing over His people with singing (Zephaniah 3:14-17)! He doesn’t love us because we’re pretty awesome homemakers (as my dust bunnies can attest). He doesn’t delight in us because our unit studies are the most elaborate (we have a kind of boring no-messy-craft policy around here); and He doesn’t sing because our kids are always obedient (because, let’s face it, we’ve all been the one bringing <em>that kid</em> to co-op events at times)! When God looks at His people each day, He sees the perfect life Christ has already lived and the atoning death He died, and He is perfectly and completely pleased and delighted with who you are in Christ. How would it transform those niggling feelings of guilt, insufficiency, shame and fear if we meditated on this truth?</p>
<p>What do our children see each day? Our husband? All those others whose approval we seek? Are we trying to be the perfect homeschool mom, afraid of not picking the right curriculum, missing the perfect experiment or hands-on opportunity, or being the one who’s not-so-perfect kid is running around like a crazy person at the church event? Do others see a whole bunch of us trying to be amazing, or do they see a lot of glorying in Christ in the midst of insufficiency? How do we view our own daily labors? Do we see them as drudgery, a burden, an overwhelming and impossible task? Or do we see that they are beautiful and important—not because we are awesome and worthy, but because Jesus, our Savior, is Awesome and Worthy!</p>
<p>Who God is and what He has done directly impacts not only how God sees us, but also how we should see ourselves, speaking truth to our, at times, frazzled emotions and confused minds. For in homeschooling, as in all of life, “On merit not my own I stand; / On doings which I have not done, / Merit beyond what I can claim, / Doings more perfect than my own.” May these truths transform our thoughts, lift us up from despair, and exhort us to lives worthy of the gospel of Christ.</p>
<p><em>Complete lyrics to Horatius Bonar’s Hymn “</em><em>Christ For Us” can be found at <a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/ruf-hymnbook-prod/hymns/1519/original/Christ_for_us_-_bonar.pdf?1358282647">http://s3.amazonaws.com/ruf-hymnbook-prod/hymns/1519/original/Christ_for...</a>. I first heard a partial version of this hymn on a CD, “Joy Beyond The Sorrow: Indelible Grace VI,” where it is titled “Upon a Life I Did Not Live.” (<a href="http://hymnbook.igracemusic.com/albums/joy-beyond-the-sorrow-indelible-grace-vi">http://hymnbook.igracemusic.com/albums/joy-beyond-the-sorrow-indelible-g...</a>)</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/encouragement" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Encouragement</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/mothers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Mothers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="group-left">
<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GREENHOUSE_Spring_2014_cover.jpg" width="155" height="221" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-pdf field-type-file field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue PDF:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GREENHOUSE_Spring_2014_webfinal.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=4530530">GREENHOUSE_Spring_2014_webfinal.pdf</a></span></div></div></div> </div>
<div class="group-right">
<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Spring 2014</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">32</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">3</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-04-01T00:00:00-04:00">Tuesday, April 1, 2014</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-06-30T00:00:00-04:00">Monday, June 30, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
<div>
<div style="font-size:5em;margin:20px 5px;font-weight:900">$15</div>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/politics" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Politics</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/scholarships" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Scholarships</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/holidays" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Holidays</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/events" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Events</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/socialization" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Socialization</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spelling" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Spelling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/single-parents" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Single Parents</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/marriage" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Marriage</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/conferences" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Conferences</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/law-policy" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Law &amp; Policy</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/helpful-websites" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Helpful Websites</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/activities" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Activities</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Homeschool History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/back-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Back to School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/graduation" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Graduation</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/methods" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Methods</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/ministry" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Ministry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reasons-homeschool" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Reasons to Homeschool</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-research" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Homeschool Research</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/science" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Science</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/mothers" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Mothers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/sports" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Sports</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/faith" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Faith</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/family-life" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Family Life</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/perspective" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Perspective</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/encouragement" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Encouragement</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/practical-helps" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Practical Helps</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/president" class="tagclouds level5" title="A Message from the NCHE President
">From the President</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/math" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Math</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/press" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Press</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/beginner" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Beginner</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/archives" class="tagclouds level2" title="Signifies that the content is historical. &amp;nbsp;It was either published before the internet or has never before been placed on the internet.&amp;nbsp;
">From the Archives</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/goals" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Goals</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/art" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Art</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/struggling-learners" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Struggling Learners</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/field-trips" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Field Trips</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/empty-nest" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Empty Nest</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/poetry" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Poetry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/biblical-principles" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Biblical Principles</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reading" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Reading</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/preparing-college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Preparing for College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/community-support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Community. Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/vacations" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Vacations</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/inside-nche" class="tagclouds level3" title="Organizational Information
">Inside NCHE</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/fathers" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Fathers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spotlight" class="tagclouds level2" title="">In the Spotlight</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/nc-treasures" class="tagclouds level2" title="A person, place or thing unique to North Carolina
">NC Treasures</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/high-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">High School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/parenting" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Parenting</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/editorial" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Editorial</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/testing" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Testing</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/character" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Character</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/unschooling" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Unschooling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/thanksgiving" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Thanksgiving</a></span>
</div></div></div>Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:14:53 +0000debbie_mason1004 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/upon-life-i-have-not-lived#commentsGod’s Plan for My Homeschooling Journeyhttp://nche.com/article/gods-plan-my-homeschooling-journey
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-268" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/268/rachael-carman" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
<h2 property="dc:title" datatype="" class="title">
<a href="/person/268/rachael-carman">Rachael Carman</a>
</h2>
<div class="content clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/Rachael%27s%20pic300%20pixel.jpg?itok=6_CeVnlP" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Rachael%27s%20pic300%20pixel.jpg?itok=0pygh9zi" width="100" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Rachael Carman </strong>is a wife and mother, and she is passionate about both roles. She and Davis have been blessed with seven children ranging in age from ten to twenty-three. Her journey into homeschooling included a bumpy start, but she is grateful that God brought her to this place. She is thankful for the daily experience of His faithfulness and grace in this adventure of a lifetime. Since 2002, Rachael has been on the board of NCHE. A year later, she started Real Refreshment Retreats for homeschool moms. In 2005, she had the privilege of authoring a book for Focus on the Family entitled <em>Soundbites from Heaven—What God Wants Us to Hear When We Talk to Our Kids</em>. She has recently entered the world of homeschool curriculum publishing. In June 2008, Rachael and Davis became the new owners of Apologia Educational Ministries. Her ultimate goal, and the Apologia mission, is to help homeschool families learn, live and defend the Christian faith. Rachael’s latest book, <em>How to Have A H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids</em>, is published by Apologia. She has enjoyed speaking and encouraging homeschool groups for over fifteen years. It is her heart’s desire to become all God has planned for her to be for His glory. She loves challenging others to dare living in reckless, obedient faith. Rachael is quick to admit her many imperfections and share stories that highlight her shortcomings and the redemptive hand of Jesus Christ. Her humor will put you at ease; her honesty will surprise you, and her heart will inspire you to go deeper, stand firm and be strong!</p>
</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-04-16T00:00:00-04:00">Apr 16, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>God’s Plan for My Homeschooling Journey</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We started this journey eighteen years ago. Through a series of circumstances, we found ourselves in a situation we never could have predicted. The system had failed us, and we had pulled our oldest son out of public school.</p>
<p>The ensuing years have been bumpy and blessed. Some of the bumps have been more like huge mountains, seemingly insurmountable. Some days have been too short and others too long. But the blessings have been more than anything I could have imagined.</p>
<p>I am officially ready to confess the following:</p>
<p><strong>1. I am addicted</strong>. This journey has given me a front row seat to the work of God. I tell you, I have seen miracles. I have experienced miracles. I have come to know God, not just know about Him. Through this journey God has become real to me. He has become real to my children. I get to see Him every day&mdash;in little things and in big things. He is right here with us every day and all through the day. We know we need Him, and He glories in our need for Him.</p>
<p><strong>2. I am grateful</strong>. I didn&rsquo;t want to homeschool my kids. I made fun of homeschooling and homeschoolers. I was not gracious or kind. I didn&rsquo;t understand, so I criticized. Now I am so thankful that God orchestrated circumstances that brought us to the decision to homeschool. His drawing us into home education was His drawing us further into relationship with Himself. Here on this path, which has been lonely and where we have often been misunderstood, He has always been close. He has directed, encouraged and strengthened us along the way.</p>
<p><strong>3. I am not perfect</strong>. If I didn&rsquo;t know this before today, I know it now. In many ways, I thought I had it going on before we started homeschooling. I really did. I had a plan, of which I was the center. Like most of us, I knew I was imperfect, but I worked diligently to avoid facing or dealing with that fact. Hiding and denying my inadequacies dominated my actions. Maintaining an illusion was the focus. Now I know that my imperfections are where God shows up the mightiest, and I am no longer fearful. My imperfections and weaknesses are now where He can display His strength.</p>
<p><strong>4. I don&rsquo;t have it all figured out</strong>. When we first started, I thought figuring it all out was the objective. I thought that I would plan out the ideal educational method (including curriculum) for all of the children and then just work the plan. I didn&rsquo;t take into account that my children are individuals. I wanted a formula. There were many for sale. But they didn&rsquo;t work. Now I know that homeschooling is a faith journey. It isn&rsquo;t about figuring it all out. It is about trusting God and walking by faith.</p>
<p><strong>5. I am confident</strong>. My confidence is not in a curriculum, an educational plan or myself. No, my confidence is squarely where God has intended it to be all along&mdash;in Him. I am confident in His good, pleasing, and perfect will. I am confident that I can trust Him to continue to be faithful. I am confident that He is in control and that He is sovereign. This confidence means that I can relax and rest in Him. I need not panic. He is faithful!</p>
<p>I&rsquo;m a homeschooling mom just like you. Every day is a challenge. No matter how much I plan, things happen. Challenges and obstacles abound. And yet, this I know: &ldquo;He is able to keep that which I&rsquo;ve committed until that day.&rdquo; I pray <em>that day</em> is fast approaching, but until then, I choose to worship and trust Him! He is Worthy!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/encouragement" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Encouragement</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/mothers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Mothers</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/perspective" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspective</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="group-left">
<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GREENHOUSE_Spring_2014_cover.jpg" width="155" height="221" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-pdf field-type-file field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue PDF:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GREENHOUSE_Spring_2014_webfinal.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=4530530">GREENHOUSE_Spring_2014_webfinal.pdf</a></span></div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Spring 2014</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">32</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">3</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-04-01T00:00:00-04:00">Tuesday, April 1, 2014</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-06-30T00:00:00-04:00">Monday, June 30, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
<div>
<div style="font-size:5em;margin:20px 5px;font-weight:900">$15</div>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/perspective" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Perspective</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/empty-nest" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Empty Nest</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/marriage" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Marriage</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/events" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Events</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/preparing-college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Preparing for College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/fathers" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Fathers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/conferences" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Conferences</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/nc-treasures" class="tagclouds level2" title="A person, place or thing unique to North Carolina
">NC Treasures</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/encouragement" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Encouragement</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/socialization" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Socialization</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/editorial" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Editorial</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/president" class="tagclouds level5" title="A Message from the NCHE President
">From the President</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/thanksgiving" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Thanksgiving</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/law-policy" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Law &amp; Policy</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/unschooling" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Unschooling</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/press" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Press</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/math" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Math</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/parenting" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Parenting</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/sports" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Sports</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/biblical-principles" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Biblical Principles</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/faith" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Faith</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/helpful-websites" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Helpful Websites</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/practical-helps" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Practical Helps</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Homeschool History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/character" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Character</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/goals" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Goals</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/testing" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Testing</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/beginner" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Beginner</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/ministry" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Ministry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/inside-nche" class="tagclouds level3" title="Organizational Information
">Inside NCHE</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/field-trips" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Field Trips</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/family-life" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Family Life</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/science" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Science</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/single-parents" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Single Parents</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/archives" class="tagclouds level2" title="Signifies that the content is historical. &amp;nbsp;It was either published before the internet or has never before been placed on the internet.&amp;nbsp;
">From the Archives</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/poetry" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Poetry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-research" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Homeschool Research</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/activities" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Activities</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spelling" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Spelling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spotlight" class="tagclouds level2" title="">In the Spotlight</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/community-support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Community. Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/mothers" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Mothers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/methods" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Methods</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/back-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Back to School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reasons-homeschool" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Reasons to Homeschool</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/scholarships" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Scholarships</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/graduation" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Graduation</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/struggling-learners" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Struggling Learners</a></span>
</div></div></div>Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:35:42 +0000debbie_mason999 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/gods-plan-my-homeschooling-journey#commentsWeary? Rejuvenate Your School with a Day of Activities That You Love!http://nche.com/article/weary-rejuvenate-your-school-day-activities-you-love
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-270" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/270/nancy-coleman" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
<h2 property="dc:title" datatype="" class="title">
<a href="/person/270/nancy-coleman">Nancy Coleman</a>
</h2>
<div class="content clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/coleman-Nancy-cropped.jpg?itok=dTP_S5aL" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/coleman-Nancy-cropped.jpg?itok=V4UNp4pk" width="69" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Nancy Coleman lives in western North Carolina in a small town named Horse Shoe, near Brevard. She and her husband, Tim, have a blended family of nine children, including two spouses, with one child still at home. Currently Nancy’s parents are also living with them. Nancy and Tim have a combined total of just under 41 years of homeschooling with six being the largest number of students at one time. Nancy was on the NCHE board from 1996-2014, serving in multiple roles. She was involved in the conference leadership for many years, serving as conference vice president for most of that time.</p>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-11-20T00:00:00-05:00">Nov 20, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Weary? Rejuvenate Your School with a Day of Activities That You Love!</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The first day of school has come and gone, and your routine is well underway. Fall can be a time of waning excitement, and perhaps disappointment and discouragement have started to set in. You had a good start, but are realizing that you are only halfway to Christmas break, and there are many long days ahead before you reach the end of your school year. Thinking about it, you may feel like your head is barely staying above water. This can be an overwhelming time for teachers and for students. It&rsquo;s time for some coping strategies!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Pray</strong></p>
<p>Even though sometimes it defaults to last place, prayer should be our first go-to. It may seem unnecessary to point this out, but I frequently need a reminder. When I am in a tense situation and feel like the waves of stress are crashing on my face, I&rsquo;m usually trying to survive&mdash;not stopping the madness to pray. Yet, prayer has the wonderful, inherent quality of infusing peace into every situation. It promotes peace in your home, school and relationships. Prayer also gives you a proper and realistic perspective of what is going on.</p>
<p>Try to approach your days and situations with patience. Knowing that this is easier said than done, do what it takes to get to a place that will actually foster patience. For me, this involves being somewhere alone&mdash;my bedroom, my car, my shower, the grocery store. Everyone has their sweet place to go into hiding. One of my favorite ways to escape is to put on my noise-canceling headphones, attach them to my IPod and crank the volume. (Not to a harmful level, of course.) I usually clean something when I do this. It&rsquo;s a great way to escape while remaining at home. Find that place for yourself, and pray for peace, perspective and patience.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Get Out of Your Box</strong></p>
<p>Sometimes all we need is a change of scenery: to get outside of our homeschool box. My husband and I live in the mountains of North Carolina. One out-of-the-box activity the kids and I did frequently was to pack up all our school books and head to the forest. We live about ten minutes from the Pisgah National Forest, so it was a short drive to freedom. We chose a picnic table near the edge of the road or by the river and set up shop on it. We always had a snack&mdash;which sometimes was purchased on the way and was never healthy. We could (and did) stay for hours, and we almost always turned from books to river and forest exploration. Those are great memories!</p>
<p>Another favorite out-of-the-box activity was what became known as Dairy Bar Day. The Dairy Bar is an ice cream stand that is only open in the summer months, and we always felt like we needed to take advantage of those months. Since it costs about four times as much to buy cones as it does to buy cartons of ice cream at the grocery store, we instituted a Dairy Bar jar. Into this jar went all the loose change that was found anywhere in the house, along with any extra money any of us wanted to contribute throughout the week. When we needed a break, or on Tuesdays, we emptied the jar and headed out. This put us outside in the sunshine, engaging in an activity near and dear to our hearts&mdash;eating ice cream. We realized that these activities, along with others, provided the escape that helped to change our perspectives. They refueled us, and we were always able to get back in the saddle with more vigor.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Find a Way to Serve Someone</strong></p>
<p>Often, our perspective is wrapped up in the world of <em>me</em>. We start to feel a little discouraged, and then, suddenly, it becomes all about our situation, our problems, our challenges and so on. By no means is this a suggestion that your life demands are insignificant, but it <em>is </em>a suggestion that perhaps a break from thinking about those problems would do them, and <em>you</em>, a world of good.</p>
<p>The best way I have ever heard or experienced to get out of my &ldquo;me, me, me&rdquo; thought process, is to obtain a &ldquo;you, you, you&rdquo; focus. With your children, find someone who needs something done and do it for them without expectation of a return. There is no shortage of these cases, and you probably won&rsquo;t have to look farther than your backyard. Listen to people around you. There are people who are really living difficult lives who need a break. Come up with something that would just be nice to do for someone. Take the initiative, don&rsquo;t discuss it with anyone, and do it&mdash;either anonymously, or with their full knowledge.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Take a Short Trip to Somewhere New </strong></p>
<p>You are probably within about thirty minutes of some place you&rsquo;ve never been before. For us, it was easy to find a small mountain town or a museum or a national historic sight or even a store that we had never explored. Just the addition of new stimuli jumpstarted the creative process again in each of us. We were able to get back to work on our school tasks without the drudgery.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Have a Cooking Party with Your Family</strong><img alt="" src="/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/Family%20cooking%20night325.jpg" style="width: 325px; height: 435px; margin: 5px; float: right;" width="325" height="435" /></p>
<p>I have a couple of children who like to cook. I have a lot of children who like to eat. And they like to be together. Cooking together is something we have done for many years now. Often, we have someone else come for dinner, too. Sometimes our guests are involved with the process and sometimes not. We have a couple of family favorites; homemade ravioli, grilled pizza, Mexican build-your-own-burrito bar. Each of these means significant prep time. We gather ingredients, make a plan and start early. There is plenty of time for fellowship and laughs, and we usually end up eating much later than we had planned, but it gives us an evening to regroup and strengthen our relationships.</p>
<p>Remember: your school is what <em>you</em> want it to be. It should be tailor-made for your family and its needs. And it should be fluid. It&rsquo;s OK to take a day and leave the books behind. Part of what you are teaching your children is how to manage stress and difficult situations and how to rejuvenate when they need to. When they are adults, these practices will be vital and will help them function as valuable members of society.</p>
<p>Take a break!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/encouragement" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Encouragement</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
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<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/G_Fall_2013_Cover.jpg" width="155" height="220" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-pdf field-type-file field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue PDF:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GREENHOUSE_32_1.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=4479947">GREENHOUSE_32_1.pdf</a></span></div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Fall 2013</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">32</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">1</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-10-01T00:00:00-04:00">Tuesday, October 1, 2013</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-12-31T00:00:00-05:00">Tuesday, December 31, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reading" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Reading</a></span>
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</div></div></div>Fri, 20 Sep 2013 23:33:34 +0000debbie_mason837 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/weary-rejuvenate-your-school-day-activities-you-love#commentsStrategies for Successhttp://nche.com/article/strategies-success
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-294" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/294/delnora-williams" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
<h2 property="dc:title" datatype="" class="title">
<a href="/person/294/delnora-williams">Delnora Williams</a>
</h2>
<div class="content clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/Williams-Delnora-cropped.jpg?itok=_0eWjfCD" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Williams-Delnora-cropped.jpg?itok=6dR9tSmx" width="69" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Delnora Williams is the single homeschooling mother of five children, ages fifteen to twenty-five and founder of Kairos Equipping. A graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle, she has taught high school classes to homeschooled teens, administered the Woodcock-Johnson test of achievement and worked with youth in her community for over thirteen years. For the past three years, she has regularly hosted worship, study and prayer weekends in her home for teens and young adults to experience the love the Father, the richness of the Word of God and the freedom available in Christ.</p>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-12-18T00:00:00-05:00">Dec 18, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Strategies for Success</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Smoke filled the house. Josiah came to me saying that something was burning, but he didn&rsquo;t know the source. I was too preoccupied to come and help him locate what was burning. But when I came to dinner, there was no mistaking that a cloud filled the house. Still I didn&rsquo;t do anything. There was a small exhaust fan running in the kitchen, and I reasoned that was enough. I opened no windows to let fresh air in and drive the smoke out. I didn&rsquo;t even look for the source, which turned out to be the microwave. At some point in the meal preparation, Josiah had inadvertently turned on the microwave instead of just the timer. He scorched a plastic bag and its contents.</p>
<p>The next day the smell of stale smoke lay heavy in every room. My clothes reeked as though I had been sitting in the smoke of a campfire. It was the strongest smoke smell I ever recalled in a house and would require the cleaning of every surface.</p>
<p>The thought came to mind that like the burning incident, I have been negligent in dealing with sin and the foul spirits that follow in the lives of those around me. How many times have I been prompted to rise up and take action, to seek out that which was burning, but I offered no help, no rescue? And when something was clearly amiss, real as the smoke invading every room and touching every thing, did I open the windows that the wind of the Spirit could come in to drive out all things noxious before they settle?</p>
<p>When we couldn&rsquo;t see the smoke anymore, the reek betrayed its presence clinging to the walls, sitting on the furniture, engulfing the curtains and clothing. While the offense was still fresh, it would be our focus; but before long our sense of smell adapted to current conditions, lying to us that all was well because only familiar scents remain. We could be content until we encountered something truly clean.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>God is the Focus</strong></p>
<p>Many years ago God gave a man named Joshua the strategy for taking the Promised Land. It began with God Himself, who not only gave the strategy, and the strength, but offered His very presence. But God would have to be number one. God must be the only focus, the One who directs, at any given moment, who or what is to be a priority in our lives. Anything else that orders our plans rather than the Eternal is an idol&mdash;and so it is with us as we homeschool. God is number one, and we should listen to His direction.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Be Strong and Courageous</strong></p>
<p>And this God commanded Joshua, not once, but repeatedly <em>to be strong and courageous</em>, not because Joshua couldn&rsquo;t be strong and courageous but for the very reason that he could and must be. For you to enable your children to <em>take the land</em>, that is their very lives, to run after the promises of God, to boldly go where no one in their neighborhood has gone, to live passionate lives full of purpose and joy, you must and can be strong and courageous. This is not for the fainthearted. And it is not without strategy. But the strategy is simple; God is number one. The steps toward that were to meditate on His Word, which is to value it enough to read and ponder it, and to obey Him, which is to take Him seriously enough to do what He says to do. Children learn to love and fear God by being in His word and by spending time alone with Him. Since my children were little, we would pray together, sing together, memorize verses together, talk about the Bible together and draw pictures of what we heard or read. Ironically, those stick figures brought the stories to life for us, connecting Bible adventures with our own. Math didn&rsquo;t always get done. There were days when reading and writing didn&rsquo;t get done. But I was determined that we would pursue God together. Today my little ones are sixteen through twenty-five years old! The verses they sang as children still hang as weapons on their belt and come as comforts in the night. And those Bible times of their childhood have developed into the deep discussions of today and the faith that propels them forward.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Step out in faith</strong></p>
<p>But for Joshua, the centrality of God&rsquo;s Word was only the beginning. There was still one thing between Israel and their Promised Land and that was the Jordan River at flood stage. It had filled the ravine in which it flowed, reaching well into the trees and undergrowth along the banks. Only by swimming, and even then it was risky, could the river be crossed. Joshua couldn&rsquo;t take the nation over that river. What made him think that it was possible? What made you think it was possible homeschool? Who are you to overcome the obstacles in your way? Who am I?</p>
<p>When I came to western North Carolina sixteen years ago, most of my friends assumed that I would put my children in the state schools and get a full-time job to support them. After all, there would be no money coming from their dad. We had just fled that situation. And I certainly didn&rsquo;t have any money, or a house, or a car or furniture or anything really&mdash;anything except my five precious children and a call from God to homeschool them. What should I do? What would you do?</p>
<p>For Israel, it meant stepping into the water. &ldquo;Then the priests, who carried the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, approached the Jordan River.&rdquo; And when they came to the edge, carrying the manifest presence of God, they put their feet down into the water, and God intervened! The water flowing down from above suddenly rose up in a heap some distance away and the ground became dry. And the priests carried that ark into the middle of the Jordan River and stood there on dry ground while the whole nation of Israel crossed over to the other side. But they had to step into the water before the miracle happened. Had they been immobilized by fear, had they not stepped into the rushing waters of the Jordan, then the waters would not have parted. First Peter talks about us as believers in Jesus Christ as being a holy priesthood. We are the intercessors for those around us. We carry the presence of God. We set the tone in our families&mdash;fear or faith. Do you want to see the waters part? You have to step in. Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Did you think homeschooling was any different?</p>
<p>That act of faith on my part, indeed, every act of faith on my part, has been met by the miraculous power of the living God. And my children watched this for sixteen years. Then they began to look for the Jordan River at flood stage, eager to step right in, believing God for provision in lack, wisdom with problems, power for the impossible. He brought money for college, made missions trips happen and piled the proverbial water up in heap.</p>
<p>These are the testimonies that we tell each other over and over again. Just as Joshua was directed to gather stones from the middle of the Jordan and build two memorials, so we collect the memories of mighty works of our God that the next generation would know that God is number one; &ldquo;He rocks!&rdquo;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Respond rather than ignore</strong></p>
<p>Finally, as you consider strategies for success, take sin seriously and respond rather than ignore when things happen. Attitudes of the heart matter. Achan may have been looking out for himself when he took plunder after the victory at Jericho. Perhaps he had been especially valiant when the walls fell and felt entitled, or had unusual financial burdens, or didn&rsquo;t get the memo about the devoted things. It doesn&rsquo;t matter. When they came to fight Ai, his sin made cowards of the victors and cost Israel dearly. The nation had to repent before they could move forward. It is the same with us and our children but not always so clear-cut. Is it possible that the rude comments coming out of your teen are covering up pain? Is the two-year-old acting up again because she doesn&rsquo;t know what else to do with the rising stress level of fearful parents? This interconnectedness between us and our baggage is what drives us to our knees as a family to deal with our sin, our lack of love and compassion, our unbelief and anxiety, our fear of failure and outbursts of anger. More than once, when I intended to confront a child with a bad attitude, the Spirit of God redirected me to speak life instead, reminding her of her worth and identity as a daughter of the Most High God. And then the tears would flow, bringing repentance and healing as we got to the root of the issue.</p>
<p>Because God is our life, we are courageous; we remember His works: and we step into the flood. We also move in His agenda of forgiveness and restoration, remembering that &ldquo;where there&rsquo;s smoke there&rsquo;s fire.&rdquo; Someone we love may need our help, now.&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
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<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/G_Fall_2013_Cover.jpg" width="155" height="220" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-pdf field-type-file field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue PDF:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/GREENHOUSE_32_1.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=4479947">GREENHOUSE_32_1.pdf</a></span></div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Fall 2013</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">32</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">1</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-10-01T00:00:00-04:00">Tuesday, October 1, 2013</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-12-31T00:00:00-05:00">Tuesday, December 31, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
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<div style="font-size:5em;margin:20px 5px;font-weight:900">$15</div>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/encouragement" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Encouragement</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/ministry" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Ministry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/parenting" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Parenting</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/high-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">High School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/community-support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Community. Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/scholarships" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Scholarships</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/struggling-learners" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Struggling Learners</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/family-life" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Family Life</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/empty-nest" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Empty Nest</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/archives" class="tagclouds level2" title="Signifies that the content is historical. &amp;nbsp;It was either published before the internet or has never before been placed on the internet.&amp;nbsp;
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/press" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Press</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/character" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Character</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/graduation" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Graduation</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/holidays" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Holidays</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spotlight" class="tagclouds level2" title="">In the Spotlight</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reasons-homeschool" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Reasons to Homeschool</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/science" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Science</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/politics" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Politics</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/poetry" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Poetry</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spelling" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Spelling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reading" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Reading</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/nc-treasures" class="tagclouds level2" title="A person, place or thing unique to North Carolina
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/inside-nche" class="tagclouds level3" title="Organizational Information
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/events" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Events</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/methods" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Methods</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/beginner" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Beginner</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/thanksgiving" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Thanksgiving</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/goals" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Goals</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/marriage" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Marriage</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/preparing-college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Preparing for College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/perspective" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Perspective</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/activities" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Activities</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/president" class="tagclouds level5" title="A Message from the NCHE President
">From the President</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/biblical-principles" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Biblical Principles</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/law-policy" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Law &amp; Policy</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/mothers" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Mothers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/math" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Math</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/art" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Art</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Support</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Homeschool History</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/helpful-websites" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Helpful Websites</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/practical-helps" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Practical Helps</a></span>
</div></div></div>Fri, 20 Sep 2013 21:15:31 +0000debbie_mason833 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/strategies-success#commentsKeepers of the Springshttp://nche.com/article/keepers-springs
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-274" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/274/j-mark-fox" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
<h2 property="dc:title" datatype="" class="title">
<a href="/person/274/j-mark-fox">J. Mark Fox</a>
</h2>
<div class="content clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/c%20Fox%2C%20Mark.jpg?itok=D1JkNODt" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/c%20Fox%2C%20Mark.jpg?itok=43qIkT4y" width="80" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em style="line-height: 1.6em;">Mark and Cindy Fox have&nbsp;been homeschooling since 1988.&nbsp;They have seven children and only&nbsp;one more graduate to go. Mark pastors Antioch Community Church in Elon and writes a blog at&nbsp;www.jmarkfox.com. Mark has led numerous seminars,&nbsp;including ones for pastors, men and couples.&nbsp;Email Mark at&nbsp;markfox@antiochchurch.cc.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-05-01T00:00:00-04:00">May 1, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Keepers of the Springs</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Mothers are, to use Peter Marshall’s metaphor from a sermon, “the keepers of the springs.” Reverend Marshall told the story of a small village that grew up at the foot of the mountain. Up in the hills, a forest dweller decided that he would be the keeper of the springs. Everywhere he found a spring, he would remove the filth so the water would be clean, cold and pure, never stagnant. He performed his job with delight, and the city responded with their thanks and a monthly check. The keeper of the springs kept the water flowing, and it became a river of life to the town. Mill wheels turned by its rush, and gardens were refreshed by its waters. One year, when income was low, the city council met to decide its budget. They decided they would have to let the keeper of the springs go. So, he no longer went to the springs to clean, and soon the filth began to accumulate. As a result, sickness found its way into many homes. Some even died. The city council then met again, realizing their mistake, and invited the keeper of the spring back into his position. Health and life was restored from the waters that flowed pure again. Peter Marshall said that it is the mother who is the modern day keeper of the spring. Her ministry to the family, he said, keeps it glowing with health.</p>
<p>In 1 Samuel 1:11, 27-28, the picture is of a mom who stands before God as the greatest intercessor her son would ever know. It was Hannah’s prayer that touched the hem of God’s garment, and it was Hannah’s spiritual influence on Samuel that shaped his young life. Her ministry to God and her son made all the difference in that boy’s life, and in the nation of Israel!</p>
<p>I don’t know if there is a more powerful force on this earth than a mother’s prayers for her children. I think about Moses’ mother who had her son only for a short time before she had to give him to Pharaoh to be raised. Can you imagine that mother’s prayer life during the short time she had Moses with her? Can you imagine her prayer life after she turned him over to Pharaoh? Moses’ parents made it into the hall of fame in eleventh chapter of Hebrews. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” Moses is the hero of the Jews in the Old Testament, but it was the faith of his parents that God used to shape this man into a leader of whom could be said, ”By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…” (Hebrews 11:23-25).</p>
<p>In 2 Timothy 1:3-5, we get a third picture of motherhood. Paul praises his disciple Timothy, calling him his “beloved son.” But the picture Paul paints of Timothy’s mother and grandmother is a portrait of faith. Apparently, Timothy’s father was not a believer, but God worked through his mother and his grandmother to give him a sound foundation. Paul says later in the same letter to Timothy that he learned the Word as a young child. The man who would become the most beloved companion of the greatest missionary learned the Word of God as a young child on his mother’s knee. She had “genuine faith,” Paul said, and that kind of faith makes a difference in every person it touches.</p>
<p>Look at the life of Susanna Wesley. She was the youngest of twenty-five children who gave birth to nineteen children. Eleven of her children died in childhood. She was chastised for publicly teaching the gospel message to crowds—sometimes as many as 200 people would gather at her home! But, oh how God used Susanna Wesley to give away her faith to her children. As each child turned five, she tutored them in the alphabet and then, beginning in Genesis, she taught them to read, word by word, from the Scriptures. “I wonder at your patience,” her husband Samuel once said. “You have told that child twenty times the same thing.” “If I had satisfied myself by mentioning it only nineteen times,” Susanna Wesley answered, “I should have lost all my labor. It was the twentieth time that crowned it!”</p>
<p>Mothers, you are at the very heart of your house, a fruitful vine that brings a blessing to your husband, your children, your homeschool, the church, and the nation. Your prayers and your faith change lives that will change the world. Be encouraged! You truly are the keepers of the springs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/mothers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Mothers</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/encouragement" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Encouragement</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
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<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/default_images/free-icon-design-set-document_01.jpg" alt="" /></div></div></div> </div>
<div class="group-right">
<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>May/June 2005</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">23</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">5</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-05-01T00:00:00-04:00">Sunday, May 1, 2005</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-06-30T00:00:00-04:00">Thursday, June 30, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/unschooling" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Unschooling</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/helpful-websites" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Helpful Websites</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/nc-treasures" class="tagclouds level2" title="A person, place or thing unique to North Carolina
">NC Treasures</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spotlight" class="tagclouds level2" title="">In the Spotlight</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/conferences" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Conferences</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/science" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Science</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/faith" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Faith</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/events" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Events</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/holidays" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Holidays</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/beginner" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Beginner</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/sports" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Sports</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/politics" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Politics</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/activities" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Activities</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/high-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">High School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/encouragement" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Encouragement</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/president" class="tagclouds level5" title="A Message from the NCHE President
">From the President</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/perspective" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Perspective</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/fathers" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Fathers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/field-trips" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Field Trips</a></span>
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</div></div></div>Fri, 03 May 2013 23:51:57 +0000debbie_mason695 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/keepers-springs#commentsOutside the Greenhousehttp://nche.com/article/outside-greenhouse
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-274" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/274/j-mark-fox" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
<h2 property="dc:title" datatype="" class="title">
<a href="/person/274/j-mark-fox">J. Mark Fox</a>
</h2>
<div class="content clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/c%20Fox%2C%20Mark.jpg?itok=D1JkNODt" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/c%20Fox%2C%20Mark.jpg?itok=43qIkT4y" width="80" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em style="line-height: 1.6em;">Mark and Cindy Fox have&nbsp;been homeschooling since 1988.&nbsp;They have seven children and only&nbsp;one more graduate to go. Mark pastors Antioch Community Church in Elon and writes a blog at&nbsp;www.jmarkfox.com. Mark has led numerous seminars,&nbsp;including ones for pastors, men and couples.&nbsp;Email Mark at&nbsp;markfox@antiochchurch.cc.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-03-01T00:00:00-05:00">Mar 1, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Outside the Greenhouse</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I remember when my oldest son, Micah, was about two years old. I walked into a room that he had just finished trashing and said in alarm, “Micah!” He looked up at me with his big brown eyes and in all innocence said, “Wha’ Micah do?” That was eighteen years ago. Last fall, Micah called me from college to seek my counsel about something. Now he was asking, “What <strong><em>should</em></strong> Micah do?” He is willing to seek counsel, even from 725 miles away, because he developed the habit as a child. He would come to talk to me and his mom about any problem he was facing. When he was young, Micah went through a period where he would come and confess anything he had done wrong or even thought of doing wrong. I can remember many nights, just as I was about to drift off into a peaceful slumber, I would hear that familiar voice at the bedroom door saying, “Mom? Dad? Can I talk to you about something?” Most of the time what Micah really needed was to know that we loved him and we thought he was doing well. Sometimes he needed correction or encouragement to change something in his life. He always wanted and needed for me to pray for him and ask the Lord to give him, my firstborn child, His peace. In almost every case, he was willing to listen to what his mom and dad had to say, because he had learned to love and respect us as his authorities. He had learned the hard way (as most of us have to) that the safest place to be is under the umbrella of protection that is afforded a child who submits gladly to his parents.</p>
<p>The culmination of these visits in the night came last year when Micah popped his head in to say, “Dad, I’m not sure sometimes whether I need to come to you with a question, or if I just need to pray about it and see what the Lord tells me. But I guess I do know, actually, because if I take it to the Lord but it keeps bugging me, and I can’t get it out of my mind, then I know I am supposed to come to you as well.” I knew then that he was ready to leave home and face the challenges of life outside the greenhouse of family. He was ready to be transplanted in a world that is hostile to most of what he believes and stands for; he was ready to make a difference in the culture. I knew that was true because I had seen Micah transfer his dependence from his earthly father to his Heavenly Father.</p>
<p>He has found in Jesus a wonderful counselor who is never too busy, always willing to listen and always has the right answer. He has learned how to search the Scriptures to find counsel, and he has learned how to seek the Lord through prayer and wait until he gets an answer. He has developed a relationship with Jesus Christ that is all his own, and the fruit of that relationship is now evident in the counsel Micah is able to give to others in college, to the young men at church and to his six younger siblings.</p>
<p>There is nothing like the protection that a family can provide as we raise little ones to maturity in the greenhouse of home education. It is a safe place that nurtures these children <strong><em>like olive plants</em></strong> (Psalm 128:3) as they grow up. God has given us these tender plants to raise and nurture and the home should be a safe place. Within this safe place children can practice the principles that they have been taught. They are also able to venture out and then return for the encouragement and correction that they need. But the end result is that the children leave the home, fully equipped and prepared to make a difference in the culture for the Kingdom! <strong><em>Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.</em></strong> (Psalm 127:4) Arrows in the quiver may look nice but they don’t do anything. Arrows are made to be released toward a target so that the army can advance. May God give us wisdom and courage as homeschool parents to train up sons and daughters who will be ready to hit the target for which they were created!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/empty-nest" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Empty Nest</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/encouragement" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Encouragement</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/family-life" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Family Life</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
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<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>March/April 2005</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">23</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">4</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-03-01T00:00:00-05:00">Tuesday, March 1, 2005</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-04-30T00:00:00-04:00">Saturday, April 30, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/preparing-college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Preparing for College</a></span>
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</div></div></div>Fri, 03 May 2013 22:58:08 +0000debbie_mason690 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/outside-greenhouse#commentsWhat Do You Do When You Fall Behind?http://nche.com/article/what-do-you-do-when-you-fall-behind
<div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-03-01T00:00:00-05:00">Mar 1, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>What Do You Do When You Fall Behind?</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>by Melissa Boyer</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have learned through the years to fully rest in God and trust His plans for our school. He led my husband and me to homeschool four years ago and there was a time when I thought "OK Lord, let me get it all figured out, and I will make it work the best I can." Well, I have realized that the One who led us to do this will be the One who will make it work, not us.</p>
<p>In the past, I have begun the school year prayerfully and with the best intentions. I planned to finish all the curriculum, keep a schedule, conquer all the housework, have meals on the table representing all the food groups and be energetic enough at the end of the day to spend time with my husband and prepare for school the next day!</p>
<p>Well, two years ago, while my husband was gone for six months, every appliance in my house broke down and had to be replaced. My kids and I were very sick and very tired. The doctor told us we had the flu; but he was wrong! We discovered that as my oil furnace malfunctioned (in cold January) we were being poisoned by carbon monoxide. We were told that we were about two days away from death. That explained why my daughter was napping for four hours straight and we all could hardly get out of bed in the morning to do even a little bit of school. The next cold day, we had what is called a “puff back” in our home from our furnace. Soot came up through the vents and covered everything—and I mean <em>everything</em>! Everything in my home, including our lungs and our animals and my kids, had soot on it. Everything was covered with black, even the carpet padding! We had to eat out every night for three weeks because my kitchen appliances and dishes were covered.</p>
<p>Being a strong military wife, I have learned to handle many things without my husband. However, this really drained me in every way. The fact that we almost lost our lives, and I didn't know it as a mother really unsettled me. I thank God that the furnace quit working and the electrician came out that night, or we might not be here right now!</p>
<p>For three months, contractors, painters, house cleaners, dry cleaners, carpet installers and insurance agents were in my home. People were here from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon everyday. Most were men, and this made me feel somewhat uneasy at times, since they knew my husband was deployed.</p>
<p>All this time, we moved from room to room passing workers, plastic sheets covering furniture, tools and boxes to do school and try to maintain focus over the noise. Most of our books and even the computer were put away at times. One night my daughter was rushed to the hospital due to an unidentified illness. How was I going to keep it all going and be strong and organized for my kids? How could I get things back to some kind of normal and even expect my child to be open to learning in the middle of all this? I mean, this wasn't part of my plan!</p>
<p>Well, the answer was and still is GOD! He is The Way and He provided the way. All of my original plans were out the soot-covered window! He picked me up out of the mess and gave me the strength to get up everyday and make the best out of school, and meals, and to be an encouraging mom to my kids. One of the cleaning ladies even followed me around the house for weeks asking about Jesus after she had cleaned all my Christian books and heard us doing devotions. She finished her job and left with a new-found curiosity about the Lord. Isn't God <em>good</em>?</p>
<p>There were times when I wasn't sure what kind of effect these events were having on our school. I was concerned that the sudden change in school style and schedule and all the extra things I had to pay attention to were going to leave my son way behind academically. I was afraid that he would lose time and not be able to make it all up, leaving me feeling guilty. Well, that was the lie Satan was trying to make me believe; but the truth was, that my son ended up learning more than I thought he would. Not only did he score amazingly high on the year-end test, he also gained an understanding of what it means to work together as a family and how to be flexible and not give up. It gave us all an amazing appreciation for each other and the love of God. God showed me that even without my husband’s help, my school plans and schedule, His will <em>will</em> be done. He is our strength; He will provide the way. I learned that even if my plans and school schedule changes, <em>He doesn't.</em> He took me from feeling that I had to have school completely planned for it to work, to experiencing His working plan. Now when unplanned events arise and I can't do what is scheduled, I wait to find out what His plan is for that time. I know that there will be learning opportunities in that situation that will not only give my children head knowledge but godly character and wisdom as well.</p>
<p>A verse comes to mind these days when I feel myself stressing over school: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalms 46:10) This verse gives me peace and reminds me of how God brought us through so much that year. It also reminds me not to worry so much if my plans break down, get boxed up or even get soot on them! His plans are much bigger and better than mine, anyway, and He knows what my children need more than I do.</p>
<p>So just relax and know that with God all things are possible and that you are never alone. The God of your life is also the God of your school, and He is still teaching even when you aren't.</p>
<p><em>Melissa Boyer and her husband, Keith, have homeschooled in Region 9 for four years. God has blessed them with two wonderful children. As they seek God in their homeschooling efforts they find themselves ever so grateful for his enduring love, his Fatherly guidance and, above all, his supply of grace that sustains them through everything they do.</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/encouragement" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Encouragement</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="group-left">
<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/default_images/free-icon-design-set-document_01.jpg" alt="" /></div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>March/April 2005</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">23</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">4</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-03-01T00:00:00-05:00">Tuesday, March 1, 2005</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-04-30T00:00:00-04:00">Saturday, April 30, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
<div>
<div style="font-size:5em;margin:20px 5px;font-weight:900">$15</div>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/law-policy" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Law &amp; Policy</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reading" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Reading</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reasons-homeschool" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Reasons to Homeschool</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/socialization" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Socialization</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/nc-treasures" class="tagclouds level2" title="A person, place or thing unique to North Carolina
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/ministry" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Ministry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/beginner" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Beginner</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/scholarships" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Scholarships</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/community-support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Community. Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/editorial" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Editorial</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/press" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Press</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/testing" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Testing</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/inside-nche" class="tagclouds level3" title="Organizational Information
">Inside NCHE</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/single-parents" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Single Parents</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/empty-nest" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Empty Nest</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/unschooling" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Unschooling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/faith" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Faith</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/vacations" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Vacations</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/encouragement" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Encouragement</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/archives" class="tagclouds level2" title="Signifies that the content is historical. &amp;nbsp;It was either published before the internet or has never before been placed on the internet.&amp;nbsp;
">From the Archives</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/methods" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Methods</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Homeschool History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/events" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Events</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/president" class="tagclouds level5" title="A Message from the NCHE President
">From the President</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/struggling-learners" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Struggling Learners</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/graduation" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Graduation</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/perspective" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Perspective</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/preparing-college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Preparing for College</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/parenting" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Parenting</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/mothers" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Mothers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">College</a></span>
</div></div></div>Fri, 03 May 2013 22:08:10 +0000debbie_mason687 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/what-do-you-do-when-you-fall-behind#commentsDuty is Ours, Results are God’shttp://nche.com/article/duty-ours-results-are-god%E2%80%99s
<div class="field field-name-field-article-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="node-274" class="node node-bio-profile clearfix" about="/person/274/j-mark-fox" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document">
<h2 property="dc:title" datatype="" class="title">
<a href="/person/274/j-mark-fox">J. Mark Fox</a>
</h2>
<div class="content clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-author-head-shot field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/medium/public/c%20Fox%2C%20Mark.jpg?itok=D1JkNODt" rel="lightbox[field_author_head_shot][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/styles/thumbnail/public/c%20Fox%2C%20Mark.jpg?itok=43qIkT4y" width="80" height="100" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em style="line-height: 1.6em;">Mark and Cindy Fox have&nbsp;been homeschooling since 1988.&nbsp;They have seven children and only&nbsp;one more graduate to go. Mark pastors Antioch Community Church in Elon and writes a blog at&nbsp;www.jmarkfox.com. Mark has led numerous seminars,&nbsp;including ones for pastors, men and couples.&nbsp;Email Mark at&nbsp;markfox@antiochchurch.cc.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-pub-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-01-01T00:00:00-05:00">Jan 1, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Duty is Ours, Results are God’s</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Many people do not know that after John Quincy Adams completed his tenure as president in 1829, he was elected to the House of Representatives. There, he served for the last eighteen years of his life, waging war against slavery in a pro-slavery House.</p>
<p>Adams was dubbed the “Hell-Hound of Slavery” because of his dogged determination never to quit the fight until victory was his.</p>
<p>During this time in our nation’s history, the Congress was responsive to the people, and on Monday, any citizen could make a petition in the House and ask for legislation. On one particular Monday, John Quincy Adams introduced 900 anti-slavery petitions! The pro-slavery congressmen were livid and passed a resolution that <em>any</em> petition could be brought to the House on a Monday <em>except</em> petitions that opposed slavery. This was the first Gag Rule ever enacted by Congress, and it was aimed at one man who was willing to stand for what was right. It did not work!</p>
<p>Adams’ battle continued, despite the fact that he was threatened with expulsion from the House by congressional leadership. He never slowed down or even showed signs of fatigue. Asked once why he persisted in the fight and how he managed to avoid discouragement (or even despair) at the outcome, John Quincy Adams replied, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.”</p>
<p>Oh, what a guiding principle for our lives that are so often purposeless, blown about by whatever wind happens to be most convenient! Adams cared deeply that slaves be set free, but whether they ever were or not was not his motivation. He fought for their freedom because it was the <em>right </em>thing to do, not because it was the most <em>expedient</em>. He understood, perhaps, what Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, meant when he said that on the final judgment day God will say to all those who belong to Him through a relationship with His Son Jesus, “Well done thou good and faithful—not good and <em>successful</em>—servant.”</p>
<p>On December 3, 1844, after nearly eight years of battling the pro-slavery forces with the Gag Rule in effect, John Quincy Adams’ motion to rescind the rule was passed. Once again, slavery was an open topic of discussion <em>in</em> the Congress. Though the abolition of slavery did not seem to be any closer to becoming reality, at least now the topic could be debated again in the House. Adams’ response to the victory? “<em>Blessed, forever blessed, be the name of God!”</em></p>
<p>We know the end of the story that John Quincy Adams never lived to see. Slavery was finally abolished but it took a man named Lincoln some four decades later to finish the job that Adams and others had begun. Had John Quincy Adams lost hope and faded in the heat of battle, what would have become of the cause? We will never know, because Adams remained faithful to the end, though he never saw the full fruits of his labor.</p>
<p>Isn’t the homeschooling life somelike like that? We toil and labor and sow and water, and often it is years before we can see the fruit. Yet we are called to be faithful to the end, no matter the cost. Duty is ours; results are God’s!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/history" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">History</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/politics" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Politics</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/faith" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Faith</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/character" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Character</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-greenhouse-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Greenhouse Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="ds-2col node node-greenhouse-issue view-mode-full clearfix">
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<div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-cover field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://nche.com/sites/nche.donordepot.com/files/default_images/free-icon-design-set-document_01.jpg" alt="" /></div></div></div> </div>
<div class="group-right">
<div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="dc:title"><h2>Jan/Feb 2005</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-volume field-type-number-integer field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Volume:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">23</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-issue-info field-type-list-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">3</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-greenhouse-pub-date-start field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Publication Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-01-01T00:00:00-05:00">Saturday, January 1, 2005</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2005-02-28T00:00:00-05:00">Monday, February 28, 2005</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-greenhouse-subscribe field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>GREENHOUSE is NCHE&#39;s flagship publication.&nbsp;</p>
<p>GREENHOUSE magazine is published quarterly, with an annual graduate special issue published in May. That&#39;s five issues, each containing at least 40 pages of full color for $3 an issue.</p>
<div>
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</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-tags-4-articles field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2 class="block-title">Common Tags</h2><span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/graduation" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Graduation</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-history" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Homeschool History</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/scholarships" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Scholarships</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/ministry" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Ministry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/thanksgiving" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Thanksgiving</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/back-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Back to School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reasons-homeschool" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Reasons to Homeschool</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/testing" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Testing</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/inside-nche" class="tagclouds level3" title="Organizational Information
">Inside NCHE</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/events" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Events</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/biblical-principles" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Biblical Principles</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/sports" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Sports</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/archives" class="tagclouds level2" title="Signifies that the content is historical. &amp;nbsp;It was either published before the internet or has never before been placed on the internet.&amp;nbsp;
">From the Archives</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/character" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Character</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/activities" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Activities</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/reading" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Reading</a></span>
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<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/homeschool-research" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Homeschool Research</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/math" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Math</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/faith" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Faith</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/mothers" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Mothers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/high-school" class="tagclouds level2" title="">High School</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/president" class="tagclouds level5" title="A Message from the NCHE President
">From the President</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/fathers" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Fathers</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/art" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Art</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/preparing-college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Preparing for College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/community-support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Community. Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/empty-nest" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Empty Nest</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/college" class="tagclouds level1" title="">College</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/encouragement" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Encouragement</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/beginner" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Beginner</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/spotlight" class="tagclouds level2" title="">In the Spotlight</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/vacations" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Vacations</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/nc-treasures" class="tagclouds level2" title="A person, place or thing unique to North Carolina
">NC Treasures</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/press" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Press</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/family-life" class="tagclouds level6" title="">Family Life</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/parenting" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Parenting</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/support" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Support</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/practical-helps" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Practical Helps</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/science" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Science</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/poetry" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Poetry</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/law-policy" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Law &amp; Policy</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/politics" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Politics</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/goals" class="tagclouds level4" title="">Goals</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/helpful-websites" class="tagclouds level3" title="">Helpful Websites</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/methods" class="tagclouds level5" title="">Methods</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/field-trips" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Field Trips</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/unschooling" class="tagclouds level2" title="">Unschooling</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/marriage" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Marriage</a></span>
<span class='tagclouds-term'><a href="/tag/holidays" class="tagclouds level1" title="">Holidays</a></span>
</div></div></div>Fri, 03 May 2013 21:21:19 +0000debbie_mason683 at http://nche.comhttp://nche.com/article/duty-ours-results-are-god%E2%80%99s#comments